Air cooling and cleaning apparatus



March 19, 1929. J J PREBLE 1,705,534

AIR COOLING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1925 4 Sheets-Shem 1 Inveniow: Jams JaWuaksPreZz Ze.

Max-ch19 1929. J; J PREBL'E 1,705,534

AIR COOLING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1923 4 Sheets-Shea! 3 eIizrnes. JaruzksPre6Ze.

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March 19, 1929. J J PREBLE 1 1,705,534

AIR COOLING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1923 4 Sheets-Shea! 5 I raven/Z07 5 4 Jams Jarwjzksl z'eie. 67-

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March 19, 1929. J. J. PREBLE 1,705,534

AIR COOLING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1923 4 Sheets-Shee 4 Fig.6.

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Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES JARVIS PREBLE, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS; LIVINGSTON .STEBBINS,

ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID JAMES JARVIS FREBLE, DECEASED, ASSIGNDB TO SPRACO, TNQ, OF SOM'ERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

AIR COOLING AND CLEANING APPARATUS.

Application filed larch 27, 1923. Serial No. 628,153.

closcd certain illustrative embodiments thereof in the accmnpanying drawings wherein:

:Fig. .1 is a View partly in side elevation and partlyzin verticalseetionof an apparatusenlbodying my invention as adopted for use in connect-ion with dynamo-electric machines;

Fig. :2 isavertical section upon ,an enlarged scale of theupper part ofthe central chamber-ytaken at might anglesto the View shown in Fig. l, the parts beingshown in normal operating posit-ions;

Fig. 3 1s a View similar to F 2 .-out with the parts in-their emergencyposrtron;

.Fig. lfis a vertical section of a .modll'ied form of damper, and control mechanism therefor;

Fig-dis a View similar to Fig. 4 with the parts in their emergency position.

Fig, 6 is a. view similar to Fig. :1 "of an apparatus including the form of damper shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Referring nm'eparticulm'ly to the drowings in Fig. 1 I have shown at lthe casing of a .dynnmoeelectric machine or generator, thestationary parts of which are lndlcated generally at .2. Said dymmo-electnc machine is snpportedin any suitablenmnner as by the concrete foundation represented at 3.

Preferably beneath :the generator and approximately centrally thereof is positioned the air wad-ling and cooling apparatus. Said apparatus includes a central upright compartment providing a lower or spray chamber 41nd nil-upper chamber 5in communication with the exhaust port 6 for the warm air from the generator. At either side of said central compartment, and, as herein shown, .at both sides are positioned vertical ducts 1.7 and 8 respectively for the return of theconditioned air to the generator in a closed circuit.

within said spray chamber 4 and preferably at a posi-tionbelow'the transverse median line thereof Iprovide a series of spray nozzles 9 arranged in one or more banks and in connnunicntion with the freshwater supply pipe 10. Said nozzles 9, which maybe of any preferred design, desirably unedirected upwardly to spray water upwardly into the descending warm air from'rthe generator. If desired, an additional .row of nozzles, one of which isindicated nt9' be providcdat each sideof said spraychamber, directed inwardly and downwardly at an angle.

In each side wall of the spray ohamlwr 14 adjacent the base thereof are located lateral exits .11 and 12 respectively, each provided with vertical eliminator plates 13 for removing any free moisture from the air returning to the generatm. Att-he upper portion of said spray chamber-find extending horizontally across the same is a series of bafile plates 14 for preventing; any of the spray WfLfiQl frwn passing upwardly beyond the spray chamber andservingalso to distribute the downwardly travelling air uniformly throughout said chamber. The-circulation of air downwardly through the central compartment and upwardly through the side ducts 7 and 81nd through and about the generator within thecasing 1, the warmnir pn-ssin again to the centralcom partincntthrough the generator lasing outlots 6, (lie maintained by fan blades 15 upon the generator rotor or, if desired, independent blower mechanism may be provided.

The structure above described constitutes a closed circuit through which the same air passes continuously, being circulated and recirculated in the normal operation of the apparatus. The heat absorbed from the windings of the generator or from other structure to be cooled is dissipated by means of the liquid spray within-the spray chamber 4. The air is constantly returned to the generatorat the necessary low temperature, usually not greater than 155 to 160 F.

If the air temperature should at any-time exceed a certain predetemiimd degree, approximately that just mentioned, great danger of injury to the generator would ensue. Such excess air temperature uni ht occasimmlly rise from any one of a 1mm 1' of causes. A heavy load upon the generator often causes abnornml'heatiing. Failureof, or low pressure in the spray water supply would also result in heatingof the air. A

, upon the machine.

'lVhatever the cause or the abnormal condition the result in every instance is the excess heating of the ventilating air. It is therefore highly desirable to provide emergency'air inlets and outlets whereby the apparatus may quickly be changed over from the enclosed circuit type above described to an open system in which outside air is sup plied to the generator or othermachine.

-For this purpose I provide a systemof emergency dampers which are adapted to function automatically whenever the temperature of the air intheclosed circuit for any reason arises above a predetermined point. By means of said emergency dampers the closed circuit system may be in'm'iediately and automatically converted into an open system and to an open system in which the fresh incoming air is lirst passed through the spray chan'ibcr where it is subjected to the cleaning action of the liquid spray.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have represented upon an enlarged scale the upper chamber 5 of the central compartment. In the front and rear walls of said cha1nber,.viewing Fig. l are provided emergency air inlet dampers 16, shown at the left in Figs. 2 and 3, and emergency air outlet dampers l7 seen at the right in said figures. Extending diagonally across chamber between said inlet and. outlet dampers is a third series of dampers 18 by which the downwardly flowing warm air may be shut off from the spray chamber In the present instance I have shown said dampers as of the louver type but obviously my invention is not limited thereto.

The individual louvers of the inlet and outlet dampers are journalled by'means of horizontal stud shafts 19, best seen in Fig. 1, in the opposite side walls 20, 21 of the upper chamber 5. Upon the outer face of each louver is rigidly secured an arm 22, the outer extremity of each of said arms being pivotally attached to connecting rods 23, 2% for the inlet and outlet dampers re spectively. The louvers of the diagonal series of shut-elf dampers 18 are similarly inter-connected by means of a connecting rod 25. The three series of dampers 16, 17 and 18 are also themselves inter-connected for. simultaneous operation as by means of pivoted links 26 connecting the upper louvers of the inlet and the shut-oil dampers, and the pivoted link 27 connecting the lower louver of the outlet dampers and a lower louver of the shut-oil dampers.

The emergency dampers normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 2, the inlet. dampers 16 and outlet dampers 17 being closed,

and the shut-off dampers 18 being in vertical or open position, allowing the warm air to travel directly to the spray chamber. Said dampers are releasably maintained. in this position under normal, operating conditions.

For that purpose I provide flexible means including a horizontal connecting cable 28 attached at one end to the lower extremity of the connecting rod 2-Ll for the outlet dampers 17 and passing upwardly over a pulley29 suitably supported upon the adjacent wall of the central compartment. Said cable 28 then passes substantially horizontally across and within the chamber 5 and downwardly over a pulley 30 upon the opposite compartment wall. A spring 31 is desirably inserted in said cable at approximately its mid length. The oppositeend of cable 28 is secured to an operating cable 32, having a suitable handle 33 at its lower end. Said operating cable passes upwardly over pulley 3d and'thence downwardly and is secured to the lower end of the connecting rod 23 for the inlet dampers 16.

At a suitable point upon the cable 28 within the chamber is attached one end of an auxiliary cable 35 which extends horizontally to a point outside of said chamber and over pulley 36, andis releasably secured to the lower louver of the inlet dampers 16, as by means of a hook 37. Inserted in that portion of said auxiliary cable 35 which extends within the chamber 5- is a fusible link 38 so positioned as to lie in the path of the warm exhaust air from the generator. Said link 38 may be of any suitable type designed to fuse and break at a predetermined temperature. Upon the lower end of each of the connecting rods 23 and 24 are hung weights 39 and 39' respectively.

In the operation of the apparatus any air temperature above the desired pre-determined degree causes the link 38 to fuse, thus breaking the auxiliary cable 35 and releasing the cable 28. The weights 39, 39 immediately drop, causing a downward movement of each end of cable 28, and effecting the instant opening of the inlet dampers 16 and outlet dampers 17 with the consequent simultaneous closing of the shutolf dampers 18. The warm exhaust air from the generator insteadof passing downwardly through chamber 5 now exhausts directly out through the dampers 17 and to the right of Figs. 2 and 3. Fresh outside air enters through the inlet dampers 16 and passes downwardly through the spray chamber 4 and thence through the side ducts 7 and 8 to the generator.

lVhen the cause of the excess heating of the has been determined and remedied the dampers may readily be returned to their normal position. The auxiliary cable is first released from hook 337. The attendant may then insert a new fusible link in the auxiliary cable 35. A downward pull upon'the handle of the operating cable 32 raises both weights 39, 39, closingthe inletand outlet dampers 16 and 17 and (,u'iening the shut-off dampers 18. The outer end of auxiliary cable 235 is then rehooked to the lower inlet louver, thus maintaining the weights in raised position and the damp ers in their normal operating position shown in Fig. 2. Sufficient play in the cable 28 to permit said re-hooking of cable 35 afforded by the provision of the spring 31.

.In Figs. 1 to3 I have shown emergency dampers of the louver type, which form is preferable-inthe larger installations of apparatus. Obviously, however, my invention is notlimited to louver dampers since any suitable closure members may be employed so long as they function automatically upon the rupturing of a member which is fusible at air temperatures above a predetel-mined point and operate simultaneously to release the warm'exhaust air to the atmosphere and to admit fresh outside air past the washer to the generator or other structure to be cooled.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention, including closure members or emergency dampers ofswinging door type, which are particularly adapted for use with apparatus of smaller dimensions than that shown in Figs. tto 3. The spray chamber is indicatedat 4 and the warm ail-exhaust port oft-he genernor or other structure at'6. It will be understood that in Figs. 4 to 6 all parts not specifically mentioned are similar to corresponding parts in Figs. 1 to 3. Hinged upon the front and rear Walls of the central compartment at 40 and 41 respectively are anemergency inlet damper 42 and an emergency outlet damper 43, the inletdampe'r 42 being swingable upon an axis adjacentzits upper edge and the outlet damper 43 being swingable about an axis ator near its lower edge. Extending diagonally across the chamber 5 isan angle iron 44 constituting a stop. Said dampers 42 and 43 in their open position as shown in F ig. 5 rest against the opposite sides of said stop 44 and together form a partition or shutoff to prevent the downwardly travelling exhaust air from entering the spray chamber 4 and causing it to pass immediately .out to the atmosphere.

Saidemergency dampers 42 and 43 may be operated by any suitable mechanism but preferably and as shown herein they are gravity actuated. F or this purpose there is suspended upon the inlet damper 42 a weight 45 supported upon the outer endof abracket 46 fixed upon the outer surface of said damper and suitably supported as by means of braces 47. It will be observed that the outlet damper 43 has a downward swinging movement in travelling to its open position and accordingly tends to fall of its own weight. In order to assure the simultancous movement of both dampers they are preferably inter-connected as by means of a flexible cable 48 fixed at one end to the inner face of damper 43 and passing over a roller 49, being secured at its other end to the bracket 46 upon the inlet damper 42.

The dampers are maintained in their normal closed position as shown in Fig. 4 by means of a cable 50 removably secured at one of its ends to the outer surface of the inlet damper 42 and passing over pulleys 51 and 52 suitably supported upon the front or left hand wall 40 of the compartment viewing Figs. 4 and 5 and thencewithin and across chamber 5 and over pulleys 53 and on the opposite wall thereof, being secured at its opposite end upon the outer face of the outlet damper 43. Said cable 50 is preferably provided with a spring 55 at-any suitable point in its length to permit necessary play in the operation of the cable. In that portion of said cable included within chamber 5 there is inserted a fusible link which lies within the path of the warm air exhausted from the generator or other structure, said link being of the type shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Whenever the exhaust air within the compartn'ient exceeds the fusing point of said link 56 the cable 50 is ruptured, thus releasing thedampers which instantly move into the position shown in Fig. 5. The inlet damper 42 is swung inwardly and upwardly about its pivot by means of the weight 45 and the outlet damper 43 swings down-and in 'ardly about its pivot due to its own weight. An initial jerk uponsaid damper 43 afforded by the inter-connecting cable 51-8 assuring the opening of the same.

Vhen the abnormal condition causing the excess air temperature has been remedied the dampers may be readily returned to their normal position by a downward pull upon the handle 57 at the lower end of the operating cable 58 which passes over a pulley in axial alignment with pulley 52 and is secured to the outer face of the damper 42 near the bottom edge thereof. An additional inter-connecting cable 59, secured upon the inner face of the damper 42, as at (30, passes over horizontally spaced pulleys 61 and 62, the latter upon an arm 63 projecting from the compartment, and is secured upon the outer face of the damper 43 as at 64.

'lhrough said inter--connecting operating cable 59 downward moven'ient of the inlet damper 42 by pull upon said operating handle 57 causes an upward return movement of the damper 43. In this manner ill leased. The attendant then inserts a new fusible member 56, rc-unit-ing the two porlions of cable T 1e dampers are then closed by a downward pull upon the operating handle 5?.fand the cable is again secured to damper l2, thus holding the dampers in their normal closed position as shown in Fig.4.

While the above described apparatus embodying my invention is particularly advantageous for c ndi-.oning the ventilating air for dynamo-electric machines it is not limitcd to such application but is adaptedfor general use with structures to be cooled. Said apparatus need not necessarily be located directly beneath the structure to be cooled although such position preferred when practicable; in some instances, where space available for installation renders it desirable, the apparatus may be otherwise positioned, as for example, to one sideof the structure to be cooled. sired, the direction of air flow in the inner and outer compartments may be reversed, and the direction and location of the spray pondingly altered.

L mus described my invention I desire it to be understood that I am not imited to the particular illustrative embodimerits disclosed herein, the scope/of the invention being set forth in the following claim 1. Air coolingand cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination a compartment connnunicatill-fl with said structure, one or more air ducts connected with said compartment, s; ducts and said compartment together with said structure forming a closed circuit for the circulation and recirculation of air, means for cooling and cleaning the air flowingin said circuit, a series of emergency dampers operable to admit outside air into said circuit for travel past said cooling and cleaning means to the structure and to cause the warm air to be exhausted outwardly from the circuit, inter-connecting means inchu'ling a. fusible link for maintaining said dampers in normal position in which the air is recirculated, and means for operating said dampers upon fusing of said link.

2. Air cooling and cleaning" apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination a con'ipartment communicating: with said structure, one or more air ducts connected with said con'lpartment, said ducts and said compartment together with said structure forming a closed circuit for the circulation and reclrculation of air, means for cooling and cleaning the air flow- Also, 7 if dec ing in said circuit, a series of gravity-actuated dampers simultaneously operable to admit outside air into said circuit and to cause the warm air to becxhausted. outwardly therefrom, and flexible connections,

including a member fusible at a predetermined air teuuiierature, tor maintaining said dampers in normal position to recirculate the air.-

3. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in. combination, air conduits connected. with the structure to be cooled in a closed circuit including said structure, means for circu lating and recirculating the air-in said circuit, means for cooling and cleaning the air in said circuit, closure members normally in position maintaining said closed circuit, and operable to convert said closed circuit into an open circuit receiving outside air and exhausting the warm air, mechanism including a member fusible at a predetermined air temperature for maintaining said closure members in normal )osition, and means for operating said closure members upon the fusing of said fusible member] 4. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination, air conduits connected with the structure to be cooled in a closed circuit including said structure,meansifor circulating and recirculating the air in said circuit, means for cooling and cleaning the air in said circuit, closure membersnormally in position maintaining said closed circuit and operable to admit outside air into the circuit Cir and to cause the warm air to be exhausted therefrom, interconn ctions' including a fusible link for maintaining the closure members in said normal position, and means for operating said closure members upon the fusing of said link.

5. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination a closed circuit for the circulation and recirculation of the air, said circuit including said structure, means for cooling and cleaning the air in said circuit, air inlet and outlet dampers, weights for moving said dampers, a cable normally maintaining said dampers in closed position, and a member having a predetermined fusing point for releasing said cable to permit movement of the dampers.

6. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination a warm air chamber, a cooling and cleaning chamber communicating therewith, one or more return air ducts connected with said spray chamber, said chamher and ducts together with said structure constituting a closed circuit for the circulation and recirculation of air, a series of dampers for said warm air chamber normally positioned-to permit said recirculaable to permit the air to recirculate in saidv circuit or to admit outside air to the circuit, interconnections including a fusible member maintaining said dampers in normal position to permit said recirculation of the air and means mechanically connected to said dampers for automatically operating said dampers upon the fusing of said fusible member.

8. In a closed circuit apparatus for conditioning the ventilating air of electrical machinery, said circuit including said machinery, air-conditioning means in said circuit, a plurality of emergency dampers, inter-connections including a fusible link maintaining said dampers in normal position to permit the circulation and recircula tion of air in said circuit, gravity-actnated means for simultaneously movin said dampers to reverse positions upon the fusing of said link thereby to admit outside air to said circuit and to :ause the warm air tolie exhausted outwardly therefrom, and means for simultaneously returning said dampers to normal position.

9. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination a compartment communicating with said structure, one or more air ducts connected with said compartment, said ducts and said compartment together with said structure forming a closed circuit for the circulation and recirculation of air, means for cooling and cleaning the air flowing in said circuit, swingable dampers upon opposite walls of said compartment normally in closed position and adapted to be swung inwardly into substantially the same plane transversely of said compartment to constitute a shut-off damper, and means mechanically connected to said dampers responsive to excess air temperatures in said compartment for automatically swinging said dampers.

10. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for conditioning the ventilating air of electrical machinery comprising in combination a compartment communicating with said electrical machinery, one or more air ducts connected with said compartment, said compartment and ducts together with said electrical machinery forming a closed circuit for the circulation and recirculation of air, means for cooling and cleaning the air flowing in said circuit, horizontally pivoted dampers upon opposite Walls of said compartment normally in closed position and movable inwardly toward each other to form a partition transversely of said compartment, inter-connecting means including a fusible member for maintaining said dampers in said normal closed position, and automatic gravity-actuated means mechanically connected to said dampers for automatically moving said dampers upon fusing of said fusible member.

11. Air cooling and cleaning apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination, air conduits connected with the structure to be cooled in a closed circuit including said structure, means for circulating and recirculating the air in said circuit, means for cooling and cleaning the air in said circuit, a pair of opposed pivoted closure members normally in closed position and operable to admit outside air into the circuit and to cause the warm air to be exhausted therefrom, interconnecting means including a fusible member for maintaining said closure members in their normal closed position, and means for operating said closure members upon fusing of said fusible member.

12. Air cooling apparatus for use with structures to be cooled comprising in combination air conduits connected with the structure to be cooled in a closed, circuit including said structure, means for circulating and recirculating the air in said circuit, air cooling means in said circuit, closure members normally in position maintaining said closed circuit and operable to convert the same into an open circuit receiving outside air for circulation to said structure via said cooling means and exhausting the warm. air

JAMES JARVIS PREBLE. 

